Stockton police are searching for a driver and a gunman who opened fire on a couple of police officers during a traffic stop, the police department said Tuesday.Two Stockton police officers were trying to pull over a vehicle for a traffic violation about 11 p.m. Monday on Acacia Street near Lincoln Street, Stockton Police Chief Eric Jones said.Someone inside the vehicle starting shooting at the marked police vehicle, striking the vehicle at least twice on the side door and the windshield, according to the police department. A stop sign was also hit by the gunfire.Officers took cover and were not injured. They were unable to return fire.Other Stockton police officers found the suspect vehicle and chased it on Center Street as the passenger began firing at a Stockton police sergeant, Jones said.The vehicle was last seen going south on Interstate 5. The gunman and the driver remain on the run.Detectives are actively investigating and are following several leads as to whom the assailants might be."This incident alone shows the extreme dangers of police work. As we often state, when a police officer pulls over a vehicle, regardless of the violation, that officer never knows what dangers lurk on the other end of that traffic stop," Jones posted on the department's Facebook page. "It could be a minor traffic violation, or it could be someone intent on murdering a police officer as was this case last night when Stockton Police Officers were targeted."The department said its officers are working around the clock to find those responsible for this shooting, adding that someone willing to fire on a police officer endangers the entire community."I’m thankful none of our officers, nor any innocent bystanders, were injured; and I’m so proud of the work our officers do in the face of extreme danger. I’m continually impressed with their courage and professionalism," Jones said. "In my opinion, officers showed great police work in trying to stop this vehicle, showed excellent tactics in taking cover from the incoming gunfire, and then showed great professionalism on deciding when and how to respond to the threat."Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call the Stockton Police Department.

STOCKTON, Calif. (KCRA) —

Stockton police are searching for a driver and a gunman who opened fire on a couple of police officers during a traffic stop, the police department said Tuesday.

Two Stockton police officers were trying to pull over a vehicle for a traffic violation about 11 p.m. Monday on Acacia Street near Lincoln Street, Stockton Police Chief Eric Jones said.

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Someone inside the vehicle starting shooting at the marked police vehicle, striking the vehicle at least twice on the side door and the windshield, according to the police department. A stop sign was also hit by the gunfire.

Officers took cover and were not injured. They were unable to return fire.

Stockton Police Department

Other Stockton police officers found the suspect vehicle and chased it on Center Street as the passenger began firing at a Stockton police sergeant, Jones said.

The vehicle was last seen going south on Interstate 5. The gunman and the driver remain on the run.

Detectives are actively investigating and are following several leads as to whom the assailants might be.

"This incident alone shows the extreme dangers of police work. As we often state, when a police officer pulls over a vehicle, regardless of the violation, that officer never knows what dangers lurk on the other end of that traffic stop," Jones posted on the department's Facebook page. "It could be a minor traffic violation, or it could be someone intent on murdering a police officer as was this case last night when Stockton Police Officers were targeted."

The department said its officers are working around the clock to find those responsible for this shooting, adding that someone willing to fire on a police officer endangers the entire community.

"I’m thankful none of our officers, nor any innocent bystanders, were injured; and I’m so proud of the work our officers do in the face of extreme danger. I’m continually impressed with their courage and professionalism," Jones said. "In my opinion, officers showed great police work in trying to stop this vehicle, showed excellent tactics in taking cover from the incoming gunfire, and then showed great professionalism on deciding when and how to respond to the threat."

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call the Stockton Police Department.